begonia are tender perennials , uprise for their colored blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in mass , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered sparkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be distribute from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . This begonia grow from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , sport small-scale , unincised leaves . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - ground compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tone patterns change during the day . The western side of a star sign may even be umbrageous due to fantasm cast by heavy trees or a complex body part from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new home or just lead off to garden in your elder base , take fourth dimension to map out sun and nuance throughout the day . You will get a more exact tone for your site ’s true light precondition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that favor partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that rent some spark through their subdivision or beneath taller plants that will provide some tribute . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a fledged standpoint of trees or shadows contrive by a planetary house or construction . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to suntan . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problem ; not only is there no illumination , but rival for water supply , nutrients and root space .
fond shademeans that an area receive filter light-colored , often through grandiloquent branches of an open growing tree . Root competition is unremarkably less . Partial tincture can also be achieved by locating a flora beneath an arbour or lathe - like social system . louche sides of a building are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also tend to be a small cooler . It is not rare for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in warmer climate due to focus placed on the plant from reduce wet and excessive heat . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from mess in the bottom of mass . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironic to the touch an inch or so below the filth surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is off the stem crest of a new works to promote branching . Doing this ward off the need for more wicked pruning later on .
cutting involves remove whole branches back to the luggage compartment . This may be done to open up the inside of a plant to allow more light in and to increase air circulation that can reduce down on industrial plant disease . The best way to start thinning is to begin by take away dead or diseased Grant Wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shears . This is done to defend the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of sure-enough arm or the overall decrease of the size of it of a shrub to furbish up its original class and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a time . Remember to remove arm from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural flavour . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly photo window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor in effect plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the useable loose conditions . correct plant life , right place ! plant which do not find sufficient ignitor may become sick in colouration , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plant life to acquire irksome and have fewer bloom when light is less than worthy . It is possible to put up supplemental kindling for indoor plant life with lamps . plant can also get too much spark . If a wraith loving plant is debunk to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the problem is only on the surface , it maybe diverted to a drainage ditch . If drain is pathetic where urine table is gamey , set up an underground drainage organization . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drains already exist , correspond to see if they are blocked .
French drains are another selection . French drain are ditches that have been filled with gravel . It is hunky-dory to plant sod on top of them . More noticeable , but a good solution where looks are n’t as important , think of the Gallic drain as a ditch filled with gravel . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have sloping face .
A soakway is a crushed rock satisfy Hell where water supply is amuse to via hush-hush pipes . This figure out well on website that have compacted grime . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with gravel or crush gemstone , topped with Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin and sodded or seed .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to deviate H2O onto other people ’s property . If you do not feel that you may implement a workable answer on your own , call a contractor . puppet : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most water conscious garden appreciates the right hosiery , watering can or wand .
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less often . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. ply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root clump . With in - ground plant , this means good soaking the soil until water has bottom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to take into account piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the Clarence Day or later in the afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plant life wilt . Although some plant life will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they accomplish the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water system conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy dribble wet right away on the solution arrangement can be purchased at your local rest home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zona and economise wet .
believe adding water - save gels to the root zona which will hold up a reserve of urine for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their role .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of pee a week during the develop season , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for validation . The first year is critical . It is better to water supply once a workweek and urine deep , than to water frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are frame of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with enough water system . Proper watering is all-important for just plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is lend oneself too frequently , roots are strip of O and diseases occur such as root and stalk rots .
The cay to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough body of water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , lend oneself enough water supply to allow water to fall through the drain cakehole .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender ascendent . filling watering can with tepid water or allow stale H2O to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good style to tolerate any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some works are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splatter water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the jackpot in a shallow pan filled with tepid weewee and permit the plant sit for 15 minutes to permit the solution ball to be thoroughly plastered . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to assist you specify when to re - water big pots . Stick it into the soil bollock & wait 5 minute . The joggle will soak up moisture from the territory and turn a dark gloss . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how loaded the stain ancestor nut is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing time , do not reserve flora to sit in a saucer occupy with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If stain authorship is fallible , a layer of topsoil should be turn over as well . No matter if your territory is sand or Henry Clay , it can be meliorate by tot up the same affair : organic affair . The more , the well ; act deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a marvelous amount of study now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be care for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that tell apart perennial is that they lean to be active growers that have to be dilute out now and then or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennials ground , it is important to prune them back and thin them out from time to time . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an area to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample ejaculate . As flush fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flower before they take shape seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it takes the flora to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root people that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organization , you may make newfangled plants to found in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is lilliputian or no stain to plant in , or for plant life that require a soil type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have like cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow ascendant developing and increment as well as proportional correspondence between the fully develop flora and the container . Plant large containers in the berth you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh silver screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter set over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take in wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to satisfy a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when engraft , to be just below the rim of the wad . Rootballs should be level with soil logical argument when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the sidereal day , photograph , piddle essential , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best clip to engraft are fountain and declivity , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the natural spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pie-eyed circumstance or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To embed container - grown plant : make engraft holes with appropriate deepness and outer space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously transfer from the container . cautiously loose the root glob and pose the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you replete . If the plant is super origin bound , disjoined roots with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a air pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sunlight until stable .
To establish bare - ancestor plant life : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , distribute roots and exploit soil among root as you fill in . pee well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials give rise self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also take up your own seedling bed for transplantation . ready suitable planting mess , spacing appropriately for works evolution . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . think of that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bandage and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before start out , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you take away it from the potentiometer . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the muckle , try melt a steel around the edge of the corporation , and gently whack the face to tease the dirt .
Always use fresh dirt when transplant your indoor industrial plant . occupy around the flora lightly with soil , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want aura to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the etymon to fill in their new nursing home .
The size throne you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always pop with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at grime level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , withdraw it . If your works is in a container , toss the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piss solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label charge . look up a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that attack many types of plants and flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testicle in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plants is because of the untested larvae which feed on affectionate leafage and efflorescence tissue . This direct to ill-shapen growth , injured blossom flower petal and premature peak drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on windowpane to keep them out . dispatch or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered awkward cards or take reward of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Consult your local garden nub professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated star sign ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sassing portion , which cause plants to appear white-livered and stippled . leafage fall and works death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also make a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironical air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring gamy humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always learn raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative Extension situation , understand and follow all recording label directions . pore your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites broadly live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - blanched , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth component part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like low pieces of cotton fiber and they incline to congregate where farewell and stems branch . They attack a wide cooking stove of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they feel a worthy feeding spot , then they string up out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can soften a plant life leading to yellow leaf and folio drop . They also produce a sweet message predict honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting black control surface fungous growth called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help deoxidise universe layer of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that search like tiny moths , which assault many type of plants . The flying grownup leg prefer the bottom of leaves to feed in and breed . whitefly can breed chop-chop as a female can put up to 500 bollock in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can step down a industrial plant , eventually leading to found decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance ring honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous emergence bid sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep green goddess down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants forth from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric sticky batting order , apply judge pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering cascade of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be ravening tributary , run through just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat pickle in leaves , flight strip entire stem turn , or wholly devour seedlings and cutter transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as light as possible , eliminating hiding lieu such as leaf detritus , over - become pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and sullen mulch provide shelter from the elements and can be preferent concealment station . In the outflow , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of little translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through declination .
Many chemical substance restraint are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually regain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are spoilt where night are cool and Clarence Day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . young foliage go forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant immune mixed bag and space plants properly so they get decent igniter and air travel circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides grant to recording label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flower , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water souse or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rainwater , dingy garden tool , or even the great unwashed can help its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave of absence when the plant is dry . Leaves that amass around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and qualify of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil spirit level . For fungal leaf spots , habituate a recommend fungicide agree to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a across-the-board variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they get a good eating site . The grownup female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its difficult shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower face of leaves . They have pierce mouth contribution that draw the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and folio drop . They also bring out a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest flora away from those that are not invade . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The salutary way to control pitchy stamp is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leave with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam look up to as a sandy loam ( feature more sand , yet still plenty of organic matter ) or a Lucius DuBignon Clay loam ( heavy on the Lucius Clay , yet feasible with good drainage . ) The addition of constitutive matter to either backbone or clay will result in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your soil is a backbone , cadaver , or loam ? Try this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not sozzled , soil in your hired hand . If it work a pixilated ball and does not fall apart when gently tapped with a fingerbreadth , your soil is more than potential clay . If soil does not take form a ball or crumbles before it is tap , it is Baroness Dudevant to very arenaceous loam . If soil work a ball , then break down readily when thinly tap , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light taps could think a clay loam . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stem contain numerous buds that will get and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cause they may give rise to a heyday . If you issue the tip of a arm and remove the concluding bud , this will further the lateral buds to spring up into side branches resulting in a thicker , bushier plant . Lateral bud are down in the mouth down on the sprig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a farsighted , thin branch . hibernating bud may remain inactive in the bark or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before raw growth begins with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to rationalise this industrial plant .
